Fender CC-60s 0970150406 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

Fender has been an icon in the electric guitar world for over 70 years, building legendary instruments like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. But in recent years, Fender has also made a big push into the acoustic guitar market.

The company's roots are in Southern California, where Leo Fender began building amplifiers and lap steel guitars in the 1940s. By 1950, Fender had introduced the breakthrough Telecaster and Precision Bass models. Over the following decades, Fender cemented itself as a leader in electric guitars and amplifiers.

However, Fender's history with acoustic guitars was more limited. Their first major acoustic offerings didn't arrive until the 1960s and 70s. But in the 2000s, Fender acquired the Guild Guitar Company, which specialized in acclaimed acoustic guitars.

This acquisition signaled Fender's intent to become a serious player in the acoustic world. The company began expanding its catalog of US-made and imported acoustic models across different body shapes, tonewoods, and price points.

The CC-60S we're reviewing here sits at the entry-level end of Fender's acoustic offerings. It's an all-laminate guitar aimed at students and beginners looking for their first instrument. But with Fender's acoustic innovation and quality control, it aims to bring impressive value and playability to this affordable price segment.

Overview

The Fender CC-60S is an affordable entry-level concert-style acoustic guitar, perfect for beginners or folks looking for a playable, portable acoustic. As a concert-style model, it has a compact body with a narrow waist that is comfortable to hold and easy to play, though the smaller size results in a quieter overall volume and limited bass response compared to a dreadnought or jumbo acoustic. The laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides offer a balanced, well-rounded tone across the tonal spectrum. While not the most resonant or projecting acoustic, the CC-60S is known for reliability, consistency, and being easy on the fingers for new players. For the cost, it's a great starter guitar to learn on before investing in a more expensive and specialized instrument down the road.

The Fender CC-60S features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge. It has a full 25.3" scale length and comfortable "C"-shaped neck profile that accommodates both chording and single-note playing. The guitar has 20 frets and a nut width of 1.69", providing a playable feel for small hands. It comes equipped with chrome sealed gear tuning machines and a compensated saddle for decent intonation up the neck. The body binding and rosette provide a touch of visual flair.

While the CC-60S lacks the projection to keep up with drums and won't provide the most complex tone, it offers a balanced voice for playing chords, picking melodies, and practicing scales. The compact concert body style makes it a great grab-and-go acoustic for jamming on the couch or taking to the park. It provides a quality starter instrument for new players that can stick with them for years of development. When paired with light gauge acoustic strings, the CC-60S is comfortable to fret and strum for long periods without hurting your hands as you build up those calluses.

For players looking to step things up a notch, check out the Cordoba C12 SP 06541. This concert-style acoustic guitar produces a rich, resonant tone but in a compact and comfortable body size. It features solid Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Canadian cedar top to provide complex overtones, long sustain, and an articulate voice. The mahogany neck adds stability and a rounded feel. And the ebony fingerboard and bridge provide crisp note definition. While costing more than the Fender CC-60S, the Cordoba C12 SP 06541 would be a great next step up while still maintaining a comfortable, portable size.

Construction

The Fender CC-60s features a laminated spruce top with scalloped X bracing, which provides a balanced and articulate tone. The back and sides are made of laminated mahogany, which adds warmth and richness to the overall sound.

The neck is constructed from mahogany with a walnut fingerboard and bridge. This combination of tonewoods provides a solid tonal foundation for the CC-60s. The nut and saddle are synthetic bone, which transfers string vibration efficiently.

Overall, the use of traditional tonewoods like spruce and mahogany make this an acoustic that focuses on balanced, warm and mellow tones perfect for all styles of playing. While laminated woods are used instead of solid woods, this helps keep costs affordable for a beginner-friendly instrument.

When comparing the Fender CC-60s to other entry-level acoustics like the Yamaha PAC012DLX OVS, you'll notice some similarities and differences. Both use laminated wood construction with spruce tops and mahogany back and sides. This provides an evenly balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The Yamaha does feature scalloped bracing like the Fender, but uses nato wood for the neck instead of mahogany.

The hardware is also comparable between the two models. The Fender has a walnut bridge and fingerboard, while the Yamaha utilizes rosewood. Both use synthetic bone nut and saddle materials. Tuning stability and intonation should be on par between the two instruments.

When it comes to aesthetics, the Yamaha steps things up a bit with its simple but elegant headstock shape and rosette design around the soundhole. The Fender goes for a more traditional and understated look. So if visual flair is important, the Yamaha gets some extra points.

Playability is always a key factor for beginner guitars. The Yamaha features a slightly slimmer neck profile that some find more comfortable. But the Fender has a very playable neck as well. It really comes down to personal preference. Both allow easy access to frets for chord and lead playing.

At the end of the day, the Fender CC-60s and Yamaha PAC012DLX OVS are very comparable. Either would make an excellent choice as a first guitar. The Yamaha does offer a bit more aesthetic detailing if that's important. But tonally and playability-wise, they are both great options that hover around the same affordable price point.

Sound Profile

The CC-60S has a warm, balanced tone that's well-suited for fingerstyle playing. Its smaller concert body produces a focused low end with clear mids and bright treble notes. There's enough depth to the bass without it being boomy or overpowering. The mahogany top contributes to the guitar's mellow resonance. While not as boisterous as some larger-bodied acoustics, the CC-60S still has enough projection to play for an audience in smaller venues. Its balanced tonal response works well for various genres, from folk to pop. The warmth and clarity gives clarity to intricate fingerpicking while still supporting strumming rhythms. The CC-60S is an ideal choice for those seeking an articulate sounding parlor guitar perfect for intimate performances.

Playability

The Fender CC-60s Concert acoustic guitar features a C-shaped neck profile that is comfortable and easy to play. The satin-finished neck has a standard nut width of 1 11/16 inches, providing room for fingering chords and single note runs while still accessible for players with smaller hands.

The laurel fingerboard has 20 frets and a 25.3 inch scale length. The fretwork from the factory is good, with no sharp ends to catch on fingers. The action is set medium-low, making it quite comfortable right out of the box without buzzing too much. This makes it ideal for beginner and intermediate players who want a very playable instrument.

While the CC-60s is an entry level model, the neck feels great with smooth satin finish. The fingerboard edges are rounded nicely as well. Overall the playability belies its price point, with comfortable action and neck size well suited for chord and lead playing.

Hardware

The Fender CC-60S comes equipped with chrome open gear tuning machines and a compensated rosewood saddle. The tuning machines help keep this guitar in tune, while allowing for smooth and accurate tuning adjustments.

The compensated saddle is expertly crafted to help improve intonation across the fretboard. This results in chords that ring true up and down the neck. The compensated rosewood also helps enhance resonance for a full, rich tone.

Overall, the hardware on the CC-60S provides tuning stability, playability, and tonal quality that punches above its price class. While budget acoustics often skimp on hardware, the CC-60S shows Fender's commitment to quality components where it counts.

Electronics

The Fender CC-60S is an acoustic guitar, so it does not have any electronics. There is no preamp, pickup, or tuner built into the guitar. This helps keep the cost down for a beginner model, but it also means you'll need to amplify it externally if you want to play live or record. The lack of electronics preserves the natural acoustic sound and lets you focus on technical fundamentals without distraction. However, some players may want to upgrade or install a pickup down the road to expand the CC-60S's versatility. For recording or performing with amplification, you'll need a mic or an external pickup. But the CC-60S produces a loud and projecting tone that should provide ample volume for practice and jamming unplugged.

Pros

The Fender CC-60S acoustic guitar has several advantages that make it a great value for beginner and intermediate players.

• Quality Materials: The CC-60S features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge. These tonewoods produce a balanced, warm sound that punches above the guitar's price range. The materials are durable and will stand up to regular practice and performances.

• Good Value: At around $200, the CC-60S delivers professional sound and construction you would expect to pay much more for. It's an affordable workhorse ideal for new players not wanting to spend a fortune on their first real acoustic. You get Fender's trusted build quality and name recognition at a budget-friendly price point.

Cons

The CC-60s has a few drawbacks when compared to other acoustic guitars. The main con of the CC-60s is that concert-style body produces a softer and quieter tone than larger dreadnought acoustics. This can make it more challenging to get sufficient volume when playing live or with other amplified instruments. The CC-60s lacks the booming bass and punchy projection of a dreadnought. While the balanced and articulate sound is great for fingerstyle and recording, some players find it isn't loud enough for jamming. The smaller body can also lack the rich low-end that some look for in an acoustic. Additionally, the laminate wood construction doesn't resonate or open up over time like a solid wood guitar. Overall, the CC-60s offers an excellent entry-level concert acoustic experience, but those wanting maximum volume and bass response would be better served by a dreadnought or looking at Fender's more premium solid wood offerings.

Summary

The Fender CC-60s is one of the best acoustic guitars for fingerstyle playing and is an excellent choice for beginners. Its compact concert body shape produces a balanced warm tone that lends itself well to intricate fingerpicking. The mahogany neck and laminated mahogany top give it a rich sound that belies its affordable price point. While the playability takes some adjustment for smaller hands, the slim neck and low action help make chord changes smooth. The satin finish and comfortable body shape allow for prolonged comfortable practice sessions. With its proven Fender quality and classic styling, the CC-60s is a reliable starter guitar that can keep up as playing skills progress. Guitarists looking for an expressive fingerstyle acoustic will enjoy the vibrant tone, while beginners benefit from the easy playability and great value. The CC-60s hits the sweet spot between price and performance.